Hi my name is Lolak I am doing the module for tefl one on one teaching and have the same problem as you were having did anyone help you? could you help me please.I have brain freeze and my course expirydate is on the 15th of april pleaaaaaaaaaase help me.

I would really appreciate some help with this plan. I normally manage to do my plans very well, but just don't have any direction with this one. What do we teach? Grammar, or vocab? It all seems like a mish mash to me, I'm really struggling now, and feel really angry with it. I've completed my 80 hours, so should really know what I'm doing, but for some reason not getting it. Thanxxx

For everyone who is reading and thinking of doing a TEFL qualification, it is worth noticing that people doing the CELTA and similar never need to come online to ask these questions, because they get proper training and support from their tutors.

Alex Case wrote:For everyone who is reading and thinking of doing a TEFL qualification, it is worth noticing that people doing the CELTA and similar never need to come online to ask these questions, because they get proper training and support from their tutors.

Ditto that. By "similar" I presume Alex means the two other well recognized courses: Trinity and SIT. It beggars belief that when there are three perfectly well recognized and externally accredited courses available worldwide anyone would risk something else. Maybe it's a case of finances but as in all things you get what you pay for. And to be frank some of the other courses are not cheap.

While I take on board your comments Alex, I have to say that my tutor has been fabulous.I asked for help because I wasn't sure which direction to take with the lesson plan. I don't have any complaints regarding my tutor, or the course. I'm sure CELTA is a very well recognized, and respected course, but where I live in the Middle East, it's impossible to do the course as no tutors are available here. I would have to travel to Kuwait to do CELTA, so it would be very difficult for me.I have enjoyed my course , and have worked hard. Perhaps you shouldn't be so dismissive of it. Debbie.

I have also found my TEFL thoroughly interesting and have had no problem getting a job with it. I chose it over a CELTA for reason of cost and time I could dedicate to it while working another job. An online TEFL is as effective as the person studying it, but relies on internet research and forums such as this.

What I would like to say is that instead of arguing over which is better, maybe the CELTA students could prove their apparent better experience by helping other people who have hit a stumbling block? As an online student, the benefit of online help has been a great help to me, as there are no 3D 'classmates' to discuss the content with.

So, because you have decided not invest the time and money for a 4 week face to face course, which is already a small percentage of the time and money of a real professional teaching qualification, we should help you for free? I fail to see the logic behind that

I replied a bit in haste because I find it highly offensive to be told that my qualification is of less value when I have spent 6 months intensively working on it. If you have the time to travel somewhere, spend 2000EUR and take 4 weeks off work to do a CELTA then yes, you have an advantage. But I still don't see the problem of sharing information with other people. After all, when you get a job in another country, and the classmates and tutor are gone, where do you go for advice and help then?

Good point, helterry, although if you work in a half decent place there will be people who are paid to help the teachers, e.g. a senior teacher. However, there has to be a limit or we could find ourselves guilt tripped into preparing people's lessons for them, providing all our DELTA assignments so people could copy them, or (real recent request) making an illegal scan of a book to send someone you have had no previous interaction with. I set the limit at providing advice that makes it easier for people to take cheaper online qualifications and so undercut the already badly paid and barely qualified CELTA (or equivalent) teachers. I will also not provide advice for tasks which have been set to make trainees read and find the information out for themselves, nor will I give advice when they should be asking someone who is apparently offering them training, Unfortunately, those are indeed the most common requests for help on this forum.

Its such a shame to see so much negative energy aroud teaching. Alex, a teacher should have patience, understanding and respect for other peoples learning. Tefl, CELTA and so on, our goals are the same. We all want to be able to be good teachers at the end of it. People choose different courses for many reasons. Why are you choosing to project such a snobbish view? Knowledge is something that can be aquired by anyone so you should get used to the idea that people will access it in a cheaper and quicker way than you did. Teaching is about giving- no one wants you to do the work for them this is mearly a form of research. If you don't want to help, you don't have to but don't push your negative attitude towards people who are trying to achieve something in their life.

One of the things you can report threads on this forum for is "We do not do other people's assignments or homework", which is also where I draw the line. I didn't report this post, though I could have, but I believe such posts should basically not be allowed. Have a look at the publications page and other parts of my blog, and when you have offered more free help to teachers than I have, then please feel free to lecture me on being helpful